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Black Dragon's Cauldron1

Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance offers convenient access to the tight-knit accommodations and amenities in the Lake Village area, located on the expansive shores of Yellowstone Lake. These accommodations are a short drive to Canyon Village and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone near the center of the park. Without question, activities on and around Yellowstone Lake, such as fishing, boating, canoeing and hiking, are the main draw to the area. The geothermal wonders of Mud Volcano and Sulphur Caldron also receive their share of traffic. Visitors traveling in through the East Entrance should be sure to stop at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, which boasts five museums that cover topics ranging from the American West to natural history.

	Yellowstone To... Distance Est. Time* Casper 265 m (426 km) 6 hr Cheyenne 442 m (711 km) 8 hr 30 min Cody 50 m (81 km) 1 hr 15 min Gilette 300 m (483 km) 5 hr 45 min Powell 74 m (120 km) 1 hr 45 min Sheridan 198 m (319 km) 4 hr 30min Thermopolis 134 m (216 mi) 3 hr Wapiti 30 m (48 km) 45 min
	Yellowstone Distance Table (*Estimated driving time)

ACCESS

The East Entrance is accessed via U.S. Route 20 and frequently receives vehicle-transit visitors from Wyoming destinations east and southeast of the park, such as Cody, Powell, Casper and Cheyenne. The nearest airport, located just over an hour's drive from the park in Cody, Wyoming, is served by airlines that travel from Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah and Denver International Airport in Colorado.

ATTRACTIONS

Buffalo Bill Historical Center
An interesting stop on the way to Yellowstone via U.S. Route 20 to the East Entrance is the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, which contains five different museums, including the Buffalo Bill Museum, which explores the legacy of W. F. Buffalo Bill Cody and the history of the American West; The Whitney Gallery of Western Art, a collection of masterworks of the American West; the Plains Indian Museum, which features an array of Plains Indian art and artifacts; The Cody Firearms Museum, which contains one of the world's most comprehensive collections of American firearms; and the Draper Museum of Natural History, which illuminates the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and adjacent inter-mountain basins. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is located roughly 50 mi (81 km) outside the park.

Yellowstone Lake2

Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is an obvious attraction easily accessed from the East Entrance. Boasting a surface area of 132 sq mi (342 sq km), Yellowstone Lake is North America's largest alpine lake above 7,000 ft (2134 m). In December or early January the lake freezes, thawing out in late May or early June. Fishing and touring are among the most popular activities on Yellowstone Lake, and charter and rental boats are available from Bridge Bay Marina, just a few miles south of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Lake Lodge. Enjoy a relaxing tour of the lake or experience the backcountry with the drop-off service that transports visitors and their canoe or kayak to designated sites. The lake also attracts anglers, but they should be aware that as of the summer of 2001, all native sport fish species caught in Yellowstone National Park became subject to catch-and-release-only fishing regulations. Visitors also require a Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit to fish in the park. Backpackers enjoy access to a host of lakeside campsites along the southern shores of the lake, with many hiking trails in the area as well.

	Mud Pool Near Mud Volcano3

Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron
Inside Yellowstone, roughly 35 mi (56 km) from the East Entrance are Sulphur Cauldron and Mud Volcano, bubbling mud pot attractions that draw many visitors eager to witness the curious natural phenomenon. The mud pot activity is caused by sulfuric acid that dissolves rock into fine particles of clay and silica, which mix with water to create the bubbling effect. Visitors can embark upon a short loop past Mud Volcano and the Dragon's Mouth, which acquired its name from its flashing tongue of water and burping steam. In 1948, the Black Dragon's Cauldron burst onto the landscape, uplifting trees by their roots and splattering the surrounding forest with mud. Although relatively steep, the half-mile upper trail offers a glimpse of this geothermal wonder. Sulphur Cauldron, a site of turbulent splashing waters, is easily viewed from a staging area north of Mud Volcano.

ACCOMMODATIONS

In-Park Accommodations

Lake Village and Lake Lodge Cabins
A family-friendly accommodation, Lake Lodge at Lake Village features a lobby with two fireplaces, a lounge, a gift store and motel-style units. Cabins, each equipped with a private bathroom, are also grouped nearby. Lake Lodge is open from roughly mid-June to late September.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel4

Lake Yellowstone Hotel
Restored to its 1920 grandeur in 1990, the 1891 Lake Yellowstone Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nestled on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the hotel emanates historic ambiance, and the delicate sounds of the lobby's string quartet set the tone for relaxation. The accommodation also features a restaurant and a presidential suite with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a sitting room. For a more economical vacation, check out the adjacent annex and nearby cabins. The hotel and cabins are open from roughly mid-May to early October.

Fishing Bridge RV Park
Fishing Bridge RV Park is close to Yellowstone Lake. The facility features full hook-ups, coin laundry, pay showers, a store, 30-amp electricity, water, sewer, a sanitary dump station and sightseeing tours.

Bridge Bay Campground
Located near Yellowstone Lake, 30 mi (48 km) from the East Entrance to Yellowstone, Bridge Bay Campground is conveniently situated adjacent to the Bridge Bay Marina and store. The campground is open from late May to mid-September and is close to the area's dining options, which include Lake Lodge Cafeteria and Lake Hotel Dining Room and Deli.

	Historic Irma Hotel5

Out-of-Park Accommodations
The closest town to the East Entrance is Wapiti, located roughly 25 mi (40 km) from the park gate. The Wapiti area offers guest ranch accommodations at Elephant Head Lodge and Four Bear Ranch, as well as bed and breakfast lodging at Horseman's Paradise. A wider selection of accommodations are available roughly 50 mi (80 km) from the park in Cody, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, cottages, lodges, vacation home rentals and campgrounds. Offering period-decorated rooms—including Buffalo Bill's Private Suite—the Irma Hotel in downtown Cody captures the essence of the Wild West. The historic 1902 property features free gunfight shows in front of the hotel from the start of June to the end of September. For a more authentic Western experience, stay at one of several guest ranches in Cody, including Rimrock Dude Ranch, Goff Creek Lodge and Bill Cody Guest Ranch.

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PHOTO COURTESY

1. National Park Service; Black Dragon's Cauldron; WY, USA
2. National Park Service; Yellowstone Lake; WY, USA
3. National Park Service; Mud Pool Near Mud Volcano; WY, USA
4. National Park Service; Lake Yellowstone Hotel; WY, USA
5. Buffalo Bill's Cody/Yellowstone Country; Historic Irma Hotel; Cody, WY, USA